Plans to turn a disused secondary school into a special needs school have been given the go-ahead.

The former Minchenden Secondary School, in High Street, Southgate, owned by Barnet and Southgate College, has been given the green light to be used to educate children with autism and similar conditions.

The decision was referred to an overview and scrutiny meeting by Conservative councillors last Thursday following uproar from people who wanted to see the site become a new primary school.

Enfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for education, children’s services and protection, Councillor Ayfer Orhan, said: “This is the best site in the borough for children with autism and will ensure they will get the support and education they need to achieve their potential in superb educational facilities.

“We are committed to providing enough school places for all our school children in high quality buildings which meet their needs and the lease of Minchenden School will mean we can shortly accommodate up to 70 children with autism on the site.

"I’m really excited about this plan, it is something we have put in place for the right reasons. It is an opportunity to meet the needs of some of our most marginalised and vulnerable young people in the borough in a fantastic educational setting.”

The council says the need for special school places has risen from 484 in 2010 to 602 in 2014.

The council is aiming to save money with the two-year lease after stating that the cost of educating a person with autism outside the borough costs £70,000 to 80,000 per year.